How to Repair Chipped Car Paint

Determine What Chips You Can Fix

You can typically fix a rock chip that is about one-fourth the size of a dime (that’s about a 1/8 to a 1/4 inch in size).

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When Is a Chip Too Far Gone?

The paint chip shown here should have been repaired long ago.

• The metal inside the chip has begun to rust and lift the paint at the edges. The fix shown here is for fresh chips that have yet to rust.
• If you see a rust spot or a dent along with your chip, you’ll need to perform a more challenging fix than this tutorial presents.

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Gather Your Tools and Materials

• You probably have most of the supplies you need in your garage, just make sure you have everything you need before starting the project.
• Buy a small bottle of the correct color-matched touch-up paint, available at your local dealer or auto parts store, along with a small can of auto primer.
  • Pro tip: If you can only find the right color paint in a spray can, spray a bit of paint into the cap and apply it with a fine artist’s brush.

Clean and Prep Before Touching-up

Thoroughly wash the area to be fixed with soap and water and dry with a clean, soft microfiber towel.

• Add a few drops of Dawn detergent to a quart of warm water and shake well.
• Soak a clean microfiber towel with the solution, then thoroughly clean the chip and surrounding area.
• Rinse the area with cool clear water and immediately dry with another clean microfiber towel.
• Rub a dab of automotive polishing compound over the paint chip with a microfiber towel to gently soften any ragged edges.
  • Pro tip: Just a dozen swirls or so will do the job. I found too much rubbing could damage the clearcoat over the paint, turning into a dull, cloudy mess.

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Degrease the Paint Chips

Clean the finish by applying wax remover or denatured alcohol to remove any wax, grease or remaining road grime.

• Dampen, do not saturate, a clean, microfiber towel with wax remover or denatured alcohol.
• Wipe the chip with the cloth.
  • Pro tip: No need to scrub; just a few swipes of the towel will do.

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Apply the Primer

If using paint or primer from a spray can, shake the can for three minutes before spraying a small amount into the cap.

• Apply a drop of primer with the fine artist’s brush to the chip.
• Dap up to the surrounding edges of the chip (no further), then fill the rest of the chip with primer.
• Let the primer dry for at least a half-hour.

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Paint the Chip

Apply a small amount of paint over the primer coat.

• Test the paint color on a piece of white paper to make sure it matches. The test will also give you a feel for how much paint to load onto the touch-up paint’s applicator or fine artist’s brush.
• Apply a small amount of paint over the primer coat.
  • Pro tip: I find a fine artist’s brush gives me more control of the amount of paint I’m applying.
• Apply a second coat about one hour later. Let the paint cure for several days, then rub it out again gently with a polishing compound to feather the edges of the repair.
• Rub the repair with a light coat of quality car wax and a microfiber towel or clean wax applicator to help protect the new paint and surrounding areas. Adding a ceramic coating (optional) provides a greater level of protection to the repaired area.
• Buff and remove the wax with a microfiber towel.
  • Pro tip: Don’t make this repair or apply car wax in direct sunlight or temperatures below 65 degrees F.

Although this may not be a perfect repair, it will look much better than unsightly and damaging chips while protecting the finish on your vehicle.

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FAQ

Why do chips in car paint rust?

“Unprotected metal exposed to moisture from a stone chipping away the paint will quickly begin to rust (oxidize), especially in areas that use road salt, have high humidity, or are exposed to acid rain,” says Bob Hunter, ASE and I-CAR certified body collision and paint expert.

How do you prevent car paint from chipping?

According to Brett Magloff, vehicle wrap and paint protection film installation expert, “If you do lots of highway driving or your car is constantly getting damaged by stones and rocks, you should think about applying a vinyl wrap or paint protection film to help protect the paint from chipping.” To increase paint durability, Magloff also recommends “coating areas prone to chip damage with a ceramic coating.”

What not to do when repairing chipped car paint?

To make a neat repair that will last, Hunter says, “don’t skip the preparation.” Paint will not stick to wax, dust or dirt. Hunter added that “not carefully cleaning the chip, not waiting until the paint or primer are fully dry, or applying too much paint are no-no’s” will lead to ineffective and unsightly repairs.

About the Experts

• Bob Hunter has more than 30 years of experience as an autobody and painting technician. He is an ASE Master and I-CAR ProLevel Technician, and currently is a Pennsylvania Department of Education certified Auto Collision instructor at North Montco Technical Career Center in Lansdale, PA. During summer break, Bob works in automotive restoration and has restored classic cars that have sold at Barret-Jackson Auctions.
• Brett Magloff has over nine years of experience as an expert vehicle wrap installer at Apple Graphics, Inc., located in Ivyland, PA.

Sources

• John Stella has been in the auto service industry for over 30 years, first as an ASE and Oldsmobile certified technician. John traded in his wrenches to become senior bodyshop estimator at Faulkner Collision located in Phila., PA.
• Carfax: “Car Rust Repair: How Much Is Too Much?” September 22, 2022